School closures prompt Wolverhampton polling station review
Polling stations across Wolverhampton are set to be reviewed in a bid to lower the number of schools involved.
A consultation has been launched by the council in a bid to tackle the issue, with concerns raised about youngsters missing a day's worth of education.
Plans drawn up will hope to choose places more accessible and convenient, ahead of the proposed 2020 boundary changes in the city.
Council bosses hope alternatives to schools can be found – reducing the disruption on pupils and teachers by having to close for a day.
A total of 37 schools closed for the local elections this year, including Elston Hall School, Goldthorn Park Primary School, Claregate Primary Schools and others.
A spokesman for Wolverhampton Council said: "The council's election team are running a review of polling stations in the Wolverhampton area.
"The priorities of the review have been to reduce the number of schools that have to close and the use of temporary polling stations, whilst keeping all polling stations accessible and convenient for electors.
We are keen to receive representations from any interested individual, group or organisation, particularly those with expertise in access for persons with any type of disability.."
Any comments published as part of the review will be anonymous, with personal details not made public.
Submissions can be made via email electoral.reg@wolverhampton.gov.uk or by writing to Polling District and Polling Places Review, Electoral Services, Civic Centre, St Peter’s Square, Wolverhampton, WV1 1RG.
The consultation ends on October 2.
